Prepositions After Verbs: A Complete List with Examples

Introduction

Have you ever wondered why we say “listen to music” but “discuss a topic” (with no preposition)? Using the correct preposition after a verb is a key step towards sounding fluent in English. This guide will make these tricky combinations clear and easy to remember.

What Are Prepositions After Verbs?

Some verbs in English are almost always followed by a specific preposition. This combination creates a specific meaning. For example, the verb “depend” needs the preposition “on” to be complete: “It depends on the weather.” Learning these fixed pairs is essential for accurate communication.

Rules

1. The preposition is part of the verb’s pattern. Some verbs require a preposition to connect to their object. You cannot usually change this preposition without changing the meaning or creating an error.
2. Not all verbs need a preposition. Verbs like “discuss,” “enter,” and “resemble” are followed directly by their object without a preposition (e.g., “We discussed the plan”).
3. The choice of preposition changes the meaning. Compare “look at” (direct your eyes) with “look for” (search) and “look after” (take care of).
4. These combinations are often fixed. You must memorize them as chunks, like vocabulary items, rather than trying to apply a general rule.

How to Use It

Follow these steps to use verb + preposition combinations correctly:

1. Identify the main verb in your sentence (e.g., “apologize,” “wait,” “believe”).
2. Check if the verb needs a preposition to connect to the next idea. Ask yourself: “Do I say ‘apologize someone’ or ‘apologize to someone’?”
3. Learn the verb and its preposition as a unit. Don’t learn “rely” alone; learn “rely on.”
4. Practice with the object. Use the full structure: Verb + Preposition + Object (e.g., “She laughed at the joke”).

Examples in Sentences

Here is a list of common verbs with their required prepositions, used in sentences.

• I completely agree with you on that point.
• We need to apologize for being late.
• Do you believe in ghosts?
• She cared for her sick neighbour.
• His success depends on this meeting.
• What are you laughing at?
• Please listen to this song.
• He will pay for the dinner.
• Can I rely on you to bring the keys?
• She specializes in European history.
• I succeeded in passing the exam.
• Don’t worry about the details.

Common Mistakes

Let’s look at some frequent errors learners make with verb + preposition combinations.

❌ Wrong: I am waiting the bus.
✅ Correct: I am waiting for the bus.

❌ Wrong: She asked for a pencil to me.
✅ Correct: She asked me for a pencil. (Note: “Ask” takes an indirect object + “for” + the thing requested.)

❌ Wrong: They discussed about politics.
✅ Correct: They discussed politics. (Remember: “Discuss” does not take a preposition.)

❌ Wrong: I arrived to the station at noon.
✅ Correct: I arrived at the station at noon. (Use “arrive in” for cities/countries: “arrive in London.”)

❌ Wrong: This reminds me my childhood.
✅ Correct: This reminds me of my childhood.

Quick Summary

• Some verbs must be followed by a specific preposition (e.g., depend on, listen to).
• Other verbs take a direct object with no preposition (e.g., discuss, enter).
• The preposition can completely change the verb’s meaning (look at vs. look for).
• The best way to learn these is to treat “verb + preposition” as a single unit of vocabulary.

Practice Exercises

Fill in the blank with the correct preposition. Choose from: for, in, on, to, of, with, at.

1. I don’t agree _______ your opinion.
2. Who is going to pay _______ the tickets?
3. She is very good _______ playing the piano.
4. We are thinking _______ moving to a new city.
5. Please listen _______ the instructions carefully.

Answers:
1. with, 2. for, 3. at, 4. about/of, 5. to

Conclusion

Mastering prepositions after verbs takes practice, but it dramatically improves your English accuracy. Start by learning a few common combinations each day and using them in your own sentences. Soon, phrases like “wait for” and “believe in” will feel completely natural.

FAQ

1. How can I remember which preposition goes with which verb?
The most effective method is to learn them as “chunks.” When you learn a new verb, learn it with its preposition and an example sentence. Use flashcards or a vocabulary notebook with columns for “Verb + Preposition” and “Example.”

2. Are “verb + preposition” combinations the same as phrasal verbs?
Not exactly, though they are related. In a combination like “listen to,” the verb keeps its core meaning. In a phrasal verb like “give up” (quit), the combination creates a new, idiomatic meaning that you can’t guess from the individual words.

3. What should I do if I’m not sure which preposition to use?
First, check a good learner’s dictionary. It will list the verb’s patterns. For example, it will show “rely on/upon sb/sth.” You can also try searching for your verb + “preposition” online to see many example sentences in context.

4. Why do some verbs, like “discuss,” not need a preposition?
This is simply a feature of the English language. Some verbs are “transitive,” meaning they take a direct object immediately after them. Others are “intransitive” or have a specific pattern that requires a preposition to link to the object. There’s no single rule, so memorization and exposure are key.